Most callers have the same handful of questions before they'll commit to a plumber. Here are direct answers, no sales pitch.
How do I get a quote from Sheltons Construction?
Call, or send photos and a description of what's going on. For anything beyond a small repair — a repipe, a remodel rough-in, a sewer issue — we want to see the site. Access, existing pipe material, and what's actually behind the wall matter more than a phone description, especially in Portland's older housing stock where nothing is standard. Contact us to start.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work?
Water heater swaps, repipes, sewer line repair or replacement, and any new fixture location typically need a permit and inspection. A like-for-like faucet or fixture swap usually doesn't. We'll tell you straight which category your job falls into rather than guess or skip it.
Will you pull the permit, or do I have to?
We pull it. Coordinating with the local jurisdiction and scheduling inspections isn't something a homeowner should have to figure out on top of everything else, and we do it on every job that requires one.
How fast can you get to an emergency?
Depends on what's happening and where you are in the metro. A burst line or active leak gets priority. Call, tell us what you're seeing, and we'll give you a real window — not a vague "sometime today."
Should I shut off the water before you arrive?
If you've got active flooding or a line you can't stop dripping, yes — shut off at the fixture or the main if you know where it is. If you're not sure, call first and we'll walk you through it over the phone.
What should I expect from an old Portland house?
Galvanized supply lines, cast iron or clay sewer laterals, and add-on plumbing from remodels done decades apart are common in homes built before the 1960s. Once we're into a wall or under the house, we tell you what we're seeing and what it means for the job before we act on it — not after.
Tank or tankless water heater?
Depends on your household size, gas line and venting situation, and how long you plan to stay in the house. Tankless costs more up front and needs adequate gas supply; a tank is simpler and cheaper to install but takes up more space and has a shorter life. We'll lay out the real trade-offs for your specific setup rather than push the pricier option.
My drain keeps backing up — what's going on?
Slow or repeat backups usually mean a partial clog, grease buildup, or in older sewer laterals, root intrusion or a bellied pipe. A camera inspection tells us which one we're dealing with instead of guessing and re-billing you for the same call next month.
Do you work on rental properties?
Yes. If you manage units across the metro, we can coordinate directly with tenants for access, keep you in the loop without you playing middleman, and invoice in a way that's easy to track across properties. Ask about setting up an account if you manage more than one unit.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, licensed as an Oregon plumbing contractor. Any technician on your property is working under that license. If a contractor hesitates when you ask to see it, that tells you something.
How does payment work?
For straightforward repairs, we quote a price before we start and that's what you pay. For larger jobs — repipes, remodels — we agree on a payment schedule tied to milestones before work begins, laid out plainly so there's no argument later.
What if the scope changes mid-job?
Happens often once a wall's open or a line's exposed. We tell you what we found, what it costs to address, and get your go-ahead before doing it — not a surprise line on the final invoice.
Do you handle bathroom and kitchen remodels, or just repairs?
Both. We do full plumbing rough-in and trim for remodels and new construction, alongside the emergency and repair calls. If you're working with a GC or doing it yourself, we can quote the plumbing scope on its own.
Do you serve areas outside Portland proper?
Yes — Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Tigard, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, Clackamas, Wilsonville, Troutdale, and Sherwood, plus Salem for larger or scheduled jobs.
Do you clean up after the work is done?
Yes. Old fixtures, cut pipe, and packaging leave with us. You shouldn't be stepping over debris to get to a working sink.
What if something isn't right after you leave?
Call us. A fitting that weeps, a fixture that doesn't seat right, anything that isn't working the way it should — we want to hear it from you directly, not find out later it turned into a bigger problem.